Erling Haaland injury: Man City reveal return timeline in major new update

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·31 March 2025

Erling Haaland injury: Man City reveal return timeline in major new update

Superstar striker hurt his ankle during the FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth and was later seen on crutches

Erling Haaland is facing an indefinite spell out with an ankle injury, but Manchester City have confirmed that they do anticipate the striker returning at some point this season and playing in the Club World Cup.

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The Norwegian international was hurt during a challenge by Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook during the second half of Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win on the south coast in which he scored the equaliser after earlier seeing a penalty saved.

Haaland was in obvious pain and received treatment on the pitch before limping off and being replaced by January signing Omar Marmoush, who went on to score the winning goal that teed up a last-four showdown with high-flying Nottingham Forest at Wembley next month.

City boss Pep Guardiola said afterwards that they would have to wait to determine the extent of the problem, though concerns were heightened when Haaland was later filmed using crutches and with his left ankle and foot encased in a protective boot as he exited the Vitality Stadium.

The 24-year-old underwent initial tests on Monday and will now visit a specialist as City seek to learn the exact severity of the injury, though they do expect him back before the end of the campaign with the expanded and revamped Club World Cup also looming in the United States in the summer.

In a new update on Haaland released on Monday night, City said in a statement: “Manchester City FC can confirm that Erling Haaland has suffered an injury to his left ankle.

“The Norwegian striker sustained the injury during Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final victory away at AFC Bournemouth.

Concern: Haaland was injured after scoring Man City’s equaliser in the FA Cup quarter-final win at Bournemouth

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“Erling underwent initial tests in Manchester on Monday morning and will now seek specialist consultation to confirm the full extent of the injury.

“Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain a full prognosis. The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

“Everyone at the Club wishes Erling a speedy recovery.”

Haaland’s absence will come as a major blow for City as they fight to salvage a top-four finish from a difficult season in the Premier League and also attempt to win the FA Cup.

Guardiola’s soon-to-be deposed champions - currently sitting fifth and a point behind fourth-place Chelsea with nine matches remaining this term - host relegation-threatened Leicester on their return to top-flight action at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, with a short derby trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford to follow at the weekend.

They also host fellow FA Cup semi-finalists Crystal Palace and head to Everton in the league before that meeting with Forest at Wembley on April 26.

City also have Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth and Fulham remaining on their league schedule during the season run-in, as well as a home contest against Aston Villa that will now need to be rescheduled after their FA Cup progress.

Along with Chelsea, City are one of two English representatives at this summer’s Club World Cup, beginning their Group G campaign against Moroccan club Wydad AC in Philadelphia on June 18. They also face Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Italian giants Juventus during the group stage in June.

One of the most prolific strikers in the world, Haaland has scored 30 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions for City so far this term, including 21 in the Premier League - six behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. He has 120 strikes in just 138 games since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, claiming back-to-back Golden Boots.